Steps towards Reconciliation : a monologue interspersed with words and music

Transcription

1 Steps towards Reconciliation : a monologue interspersed with words and music How are we to mark the end of a War in which so many lives were lost and damaged? We will certainly remember, but we must also commit ourselves afresh to working together for peace. Reconciliation requires an honest truth telling, and the text that follows seeks to respect the fact that we may only be able to take steps towards that goal. The piece identifies seven steps: 1. The need to remember and to look back honestly 2. The voicing of regret and loss 3. Recognising the humanity of the other, the enemy 4. The need first to change one s viewpoint 5. Accepting our differences 6. Agreeing to walk together 7. Sharing a vision Each of the steps is linked together with an imagined monologue, in which a British soldier is speaking to his opposite number in the German army. The monologue is the connecting link between each step, and the whole piece is interspersed with suggestions for readings, biblical and non-biblical, and music. The suggestions given here are not exhaustive marks the end of the War that was supposed to end all wars. Today, of course, many of the scars and divisions we suffer are the result not of conventional warfare, but of the cruel and destructive violence of global terrorism. Even now, amongst continuing conflicts and fragile peace, we need the words to express the hope of Christ s peaceable kingdom, as well as the imagination and resilience to go on, and on, praying for peace and working for reconciliation. Steps towards Reconciliation will need to be adapted to local circumstances. It does not need to happen in a church setting. It could be staged in a school or college, or perhaps an assembly, or by a community group in a suitable public space. It is hoped that those staging the event may well have their own suggestions about readings and music, and the aim is for it to be a community exercise. Welcome and an Opening Prayer 1. The first step: the need to remember and to look back honestly. Monologue: The petals fall and we walk away But if there is to be any reconciliation, then we must circle back, return to that place where the mud clung to our boots and we shivered, afraid, with enemy fire deafening our ears. We had each other in our sights, you and me, and we cursed to mask the stench of death as we lobbed the grenades and canisters of gas. I could not, would not, picture your face. But, yes, I knew, alright. I d seen the wounds, raw and bloody red. Reading: Wilfrid Owen, Strange Meeting 1

2 2. The second step: lament the voicing of regret and loss Monologue: There will be a time, a little distant from now, before the memory totally fades, when we must face the ugliness and disfiguring brutality of war. Oh God! we cry, but the sound of our voice is lost in an empty sky. But evil will be faced, words will wither on the tongue, and we will feel a silent scream deep inside. Such waste, such horror! How did this happen! Why, oh, just why was it allowed to go on and on in its industrial madness shattering the landscape, razing the town to rubble, and cruelly tossing broken lives aside. The silent cry is irrepressible, and we search here and there for words to voice our complaint: How lonely sits the city How like a widow she has become She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks; Jerusalem is a wilderness.arise, cry out Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord. (Lamentations, words from Chapter 1 and 2) Anthem: Drop, drop, slow tears by W. Walton. 3. The third step: recognising the humanity of the enemy Monologue: Is it possible for us to meet? Do we have the courage to face each other, to look each other in the eye Can we meet, as those twins who were enemies from the days when they were in the womb? Can we recognise our kinship, the bond of our shared humanity? With trepidation we take a step towards each other, not knowing what resentments, what recrimination remain in the dying embers of the residual guilt, the anger and the hurt that linger in our hearts. Like Jacob, we walk towards our brother, not knowing just how it will be when we meet. But we will meet, and when we do I will see myself in you, and you will see yourself in me. Biblical Reading: Genesis 33.1 end 4. The fourth step: the first resolve, we must change Monologue: This is the imperative of remembrance, the outcome of honestly facing our former enemy. We might protest, and say that it is for them to change. But it isn t just them. It s too easy to speak of us and them, to pass the buck and to duck our responsibility. We can t just load the guilt onto someone else. No, honesty makes its demands. And If I truly recognise myself in you, and you can see yourself in me, then we must both change. For Christ s sake, I say, I should no longer see, or feel, or think in the way that I did. If I could, just for a moment, see things as you see them, then perhaps, and only perhaps, I could come to act differently. A musical interlude a recording of Samuel Barber s Adagio for Strings Biblical Reading: 2 Corinthians

3 5. The fifth step: accepting our differences Monologue: There is much we share, but in the end, you are not me, and I am not you. This much I now see. So how should I respond? My first word has to be sorry. But it s such a heavy, weighted word. It rolls so effortlessly off the tongue, but what a freight of meaning it has to carry! How can it be said? The word just carries too much. But perhaps if we were both to say it, and say it together, then perhaps the word will be heard, the apology will be spoken, received and reciprocated. I am sorry, so sorry, we cry, sorry for it all. There! It is said, and by being sincerely said, the crushing weight is lifted, and we can start to move on. Music: Pack up your troubles in your old kitbag 6. The sixth step: resolving to walk together Monologue: You promised to help me, and now I must reciprocate there will be tasks to share, but first let s share the stories. Tell me again, where were you from? Where, again, was home for you? Where would you like to travel now? Could we, you and I, journey together, could we keep our feet in step and step out together? Let this be our resolve. Hymn: Through the night of doubt and sorrow, or some other suitable music 7. The shared vision: a new heaven and a new earth. Monologue: In what you said I heard another voice, and what I tried to say in a faltering way was to give voice to that other voice. The voice calling us to see. Open your eyes, cries the voice, open your eyes to see who you could be; open your eyes to see what the world could be. Look out and see, look out and see a world rightly ordered by the mercy, the peace and justice of the eternal Word. The Word that was in the beginning, and that Word that, in the end, will call us home together. Biblical Reading: verses from 2 Peter 3 and Revelation 21 concerning a new heaven and a new earth. Concluding Song: Jerusalem (words by William Blake) 3

4 A Vigil Service to mark the Centenary of the end of the Great War To be used on the evening of 10 th November 2018 or on the night of Armistice Day, Sunday 11 th November Non-biblical readings may also be used. The Gathering Dear Lord and Father of mankind or some other suitable hymn is sung. Greeting In the light of Christ, we welcome you this night as we wait in hope and pray for the ending of all violence and bloodshed. May the peace of Christ burn in our hearts and dawn on our world. Silence Opening Sentence Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. John Other suitable sentences may follow We gather at this evening hour to recall the armistice that marked the beginning of the end of the First World War one hundred years ago. We look back in sorrow for all those who suffered injury and loss; we recall those who are suffering in conflicts in our world today, and we look forward to that day when the kingdoms of this world will be ordered by God s peaceable reign. Act of Recollection Here may follow a brief mention of any local connection or association with an Army Regiment, Air Force base, Naval establishment, or with a particular operation during the First World War. A large and prominently placed peace candle of remembrance may be lit at this point. Act of Penitence When we fail to learn from the past. Lord, have mercy. When we let national and personal interests blind us to the suffering of the world. Christ, have mercy. When we forget the cost of the freedom we enjoy. Lord, have mercy. An authorised form of absolution, the declaration of God s forgiveness, is given. If not already done, this may be followed by the lighting of a large candle for peace. 4

5 Sit for The Readings First Reading Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom, And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will do you good, I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him; he may come and kill us all, the mothers with the children. Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids. He put the maids with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He himself went on ahead of them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near his brother. But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he said, Who are these with you? Jacob said, The children whom God has graciously given your servant. Then the maids drew near, they and their children, and bowed down; Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down; and finally Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. Esau said, What do you mean by all this company that I met? Jacob answered, To find favour with my lord. But Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself. Jacob said, No, please; if I find favour with you, then accept my present from my hand; for truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God since you have received me with such favour. Please accept my gift that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have everything I want. So he urged him, and he took it. Genesis 32.3,9 11; Silence for reflection Psalm 133 The congregation responds by saying the even verses together 1 Behold how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity. 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, 3 Even on Aaron s beard, running down upon the collar of his clothing. 5

6 4 It is like the dew of Hermon running down upon the hills of Zion. 5 For there the Lord has promised his blessing: even life for evermore. Second Reading In days to come the mountain of the LORD s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Silence for reflection Psalm 29 This may be said by a solo voice, with the congregation saying the refrain together Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace. 1 Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is upon the mighty waters. [Refrain] 4 The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon; 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf and Sirion like a young wild ox. [Refrain] 7 The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning; the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare; in his temple all cry, Glory! Isaiah

7 9 The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore. 10 The Lord shall give strength to his people; the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace. Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace. Third Reading When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, The Lord needs them. And he will send them immediately. This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey. The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! Matthew Silence for reflection Psalm 24 The congregation says alternate verses 1 The earth is the Lord s and all that fills it, the compass of the world and all who dwell therein. 2 For he has founded it upon the seas and set it firm upon the rivers of the deep. 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord, or who can rise up in his holy place? 4 Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, who have not lifted up their soul to an idol, nor sworn an oath to a lie; 5 They shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a just reward from the God of their salvation. 6 Such is the company of those who seek him, of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob. 7

8 7 Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord who is mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Fourth Reading This passage will need to be introduced carefully, placing it in context While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, Peace be with you. They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, Have you anything here to eat? They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke Silence for reflection 8

9 Psalm 115 This may be said by a solo voice with the congregation saying the refrain together Refrain: The Lord has been mindful of us and he will bless us. 1 Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give the glory, for the sake of your loving mercy and truth. 2 Why should the nations say, Where is now their God? 3 As for our God, he is in heaven; he does whatever he pleases. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. [Refrain] 5 They have mouths, but cannot speak; eyes have they, but cannot see; 6 They have ears, but cannot hear; noses have they, but cannot smell; 7 They have hands, but cannot feel; feet have they, but cannot walk; not a whisper do they make from their throats. 8 Those who make them shall become like them and so will all who put their trust in them. [Refrain] 9 But you, Israel, put your trust in the Lord; he is their help and their shield. 10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord; he is their help and their shield. 11 You that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; he is their help and their shield. 12 The Lord has been mindful of us and he will bless us; may he bless the house of Israel; may he bless the house of Aaron; 13 May he bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great together. [Refrain] 14 May the Lord increase you more and more, you and your children after you. 15 May you be blest by the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. 16 The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth he has entrusted to his children. 9

10 17 The dead do not praise the Lord, nor those gone down into silence; 18 But we will bless the Lord, from this time forth for evermore. eluia. Refrain: The Lord has been mindful of us, and he will bless us. The Prayers Let us pray together Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us. The Collect Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. CW, The Third Sunday Before Advent The Lord s Prayer As we look back with upon the wastes and sorrows of past conflicts, so we pray that the Lord will show us his mercy and forgiveness and extend his healing upon our broken world. And so we pray for the coming of God s Kingdom in the words that Jesus gave us: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. 10

11 Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. If appropriate, members of the congregation may be invited to simultaneously join in saying the Lord s Prayer in French or German Notre Père, qui es aux cieux, Que ton nom soit sanctifié, Que ton règne vienne, Que ta volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel. Donne-nous aujourd'hui notre pain de ce jour. Pardonne-nous nos offences Comme nous pardonnons aussi à ceux qui nous ont offensés. Et ne nous soumets pas à la tentation, mais délivre-nous du mal, car c'est à toi qu'appartiennent le règne, la puissance et la gloire, aux siècles des siècles. Vater unser im Himmel, geheiligt werde dein Name; dein Reich komme; dein Wille geschehe, wie im Himmel so auf Erden. Unser tägliches Brot gib uns heute. Und vergib uns unsere Schuld, wie auch wir vergeben unsern Schuldigern; und führe uns nicht in Versuchung, sondern erlöse uns von dem Bösen. Denn dein ist das Reich und die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit in Ewigkeit. The Dismissal May the Lord keep and guard us through the silent hours of the night. And in the day, guide our feet into the way of peace. 11

12 An Act of Commitment to work together for peace This form of prayer could be used in conjunction with a civic Remembrance Sunday service, or as part of Sunday worship Sentences Jesus said: Whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this house! Luke 10.5 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; bless those who persecute you, and where possible, live peaceably with all. Romans 12.14,17 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Leader Spirit of God, teach us your ways, that we may walk in the paths of peace. Matthew 5.9 Let us individually and together, commit ourselves to the cause of peace and reconciliation: Lord God, your Son proclaimed your peaceable Kingdom in both word and deed, open our hearts and minds, we pray, to receive his Easter gift of peace. And as we seek to witness to your purpose of peace, give us generosity of spirit in times of disagreement, patience in times of difficulty, the desire to pray for those who oppose us, and above all make us to be interpreters and bridge-builders between those who are at enmity. This we ask in the name of Christ who has destroyed every wall that divides us, and whose sacrifice has made our peace with you, the Father of all humankind. And so we pray together Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness light; where there is sadness joy. 12

13 O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. Dismissal Fill us with your Holy Spirit, O Lord, that we may be ambassadors for Christ and messengers of your reconciling love. St Francis of Assisi God the Father has brought hope to a divided world in raising Christ from the dead. Now may he strengthen you to walk in his ways and to witness to the love that banishes all fear and overcomes all hostility: And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Go in the light and peace of Christ. Thanks be to God. 13

14 Some Individual Prayers A prayer for Remembrance Sunday O Lord, our maker and our strength, from whose love in Christ we can never be parted either by death or defeat: May our remembrance this day deepen our sorrow for the loss and wastes of war, make us more grateful to those who courageously gave their lives to defend this land and commonwealth; and may all who bear the scars and memories of conflicts, past and present, know your healing love for the sake of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. A Prayer for World Peace O God, lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe. (Satish Kumar) A Prayer to be said by families visiting a war grave or memorial Lord Jesus, we believe that you stood beside N and his fellow-soldiers as they fought to bring peace to your world. We believe that you have stood among us as we have tried to imagine the fear and pain and loneliness of the wounded and the dying on the battlefield. We believe that you stand beside us now, as we remember and honour N. In your great mercy, bless our good memories, comfort us when we grieve for the life that might have been, and strengthen us in all we do to seek the peace and freedom which are your desire for the world. 14

15 God our Father, we thank you that you have made each of us in your own image, and given us gifts and talents with which to serve you. We thank you for N, the years his [our] family shared with him, the good they saw in him, the love they received from him. Now give us strength and courage to leave him in your care, confident in your promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Common Worship Pastoral Services Funeral Prayers 21 (page 352) adapted Lord of life, we walk through eternity in your presence. Lord of death, we call to you in grief and sorrow: you hear us and rescue us. Watch over us as we mourn the death of your servant, precious in your sight, and keep us faithful to our vows to you. Psalm Collect for use after Psalm 116 (Common Worship Pastoral Services p. 381) A Prayer for ourselves as we seek the way of peace and reconciliation Lord, strengthen our hearts, hands, and minds, to work together for peace; to see you in one another, and to seek your kingdom above all things; that your will may be done, and your Kingdom come, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords and King of kings. 15

16 A corporate form of Confession Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned. We have acted wilfully, vented our anger, and sought revenge. Curb our passions, we pray, restrain our violence and hostility. Give us the courage to speak out in the face of injury and wrong. And in your mercy, restore and remake us, that we may act justly, keep faith, and walk in the way of your commandments, in justice and in peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. A Prayer that we may live peaceably O God, all holy one, you are our Mother and our Father and we are your children. Open our eyes and our hearts that we may discern your work and see your features in every one of your children. May we know that you want us to care for one another as those who know that they are sisters and brothers, members of the same family. Help us to live in harmony, wiping away the tears from the eyes of those who are less fortunate than ourselves. And may we know war no more, as we strive to be what you want us to be: your children. Archbishop Desmund Tutu, adapted A Prayer for the Peace of the World Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Francis Paget,